It looks like Synology wants to end this year strong regarding the BSM and BeeStation lineup. Just a few months after beta 1.1, today we have BSM beta 1.2 with some exciting new features and one new cloud service specifically for the BeeStation owners.
Release Notes
BeeStation OS 1.2
This version includes the following applications:
- BeeFiles 1.2.0-10843
- BeePhotos 1.2.0-10083
What’s new
This version introduces newly upgraded features for data protection and recovery.
- Added support for internal restore points, a built-in, zero-configuration method that utilizes snapshots to safeguard BeeFiles and BeePhotos. This feature simplifies data recovery in cases of accidental file deletion or modification. Restore points are stored in BeeStation, with the latest 30 versions retained. To manually delete restore points and free up space, go to Storage > Internal restore points.
- Added BeeProtect as a new backup location. BeeProtect is a cloud backup solution designed specifically for BeeStation. A free trial is available during the beta period. Learn more
- Added Synology NAS as a new backup location. Synology NAS requires Hyper Backup Vault version 4017 or later.
Fixed issues
Fixed an issue where recipients of files from deleted users could only access the files via SMB service. Transferred files can now be accessed directly through BeeFiles.
BeeFiles 1.2.0
This is the beta version of BeeFiles.
Compatibility & Installation
- BeeFiles 1.2.0 requires BeeStation 1.2 and above.
What’s new
- Added support for backing up and syncing with Google Shared Drive in the “Cloud services” page.
- Added support for backing up and syncing with Dropbox Team Space on the “Cloud services” page.
- Added support for copying photos and videos to BeePhotos using right-click.
- Added support for editing the display name of connections in the “Cloud services” page for easier identification.
Fixed issues
- Fixed an issue where reauthenticating connections to OneDrive for Business in the “Cloud services” page might fail.
BeePhotos 1.2.0
This is the beta version of BeePhotos.
Compatibility & Installation
- BeePhotos 1.2.0 requires BeeStation 1.2 and above.
What’s new
- Supports previewing VC-1 and AVC formats by generating compressed MP4 videos with Synology Image Assistant.
Fixed issues
- Enhanced loading efficiency for browsing photo libraries of over one hundred thousand photos.
- Fixed an issue where VP9 videos with Opus or Vorbis audio format might not be played.
As with any BSM version update, both BeeFiles and BeePhotos apps are updated with features and/or fixes. This time around it is no different, but to kick off this release let's first talk about three new main features that will make the whole platform even better than before.
The new release is all about data security, so BSM now has support for local snapshots, an option to use the new BeeProtect cloud backup service, and finally to utilize Synology DSM NAS as another backup location for the BeeStation.
The local snapshot feature will focus on data living on the BeeStation be it files or photos accessible via dedicated Bee apps, but unlike the current file version restore option (that is the existing feature supported by the Synology Drive engine under the hood), the snapshot will allow for an entire BeeStation restore from a specific point in time.
There are two restoration methods at our disposal, restoration, as well as external backups.
BeeStation automatically creates internal restore points daily and retains versions for up to 30 days. If the space on the BeeStation is getting low, we have the option to manually delete and restore points by using the System Settings > Storage menu.
On the other hand, restoring data from external sources is with version 1.2 expanded from Synology C2 and local USB to two new sources, the BeeProtect and Synology DSM NAS.
Speaking of new locations, let's see how we can first utilize and configure them to back up to them in the first place, and later on go through the process of restoration.
BeeProtect - BeeStation dedicated cloud backup
With the rollout of BSM 1.2, and during the beta period (plus three months after the initial month), the new BeeProtect cloud service is free for all BeeStation users.
Priced at $7.49 per month or $74.99 per year, the BeeProtect will support automatic backup for the entire BeeStation, with up to 8 versions (daily backup and one weekly). These backups will be encrypted with a password before uploading to the cloud.
No matter how much data you have on your BeeStation, it’s one subscription, one price. You won't need to upgrade for more storage later on.
To configure the BeeProtect service, we need to once again go to System Settings > Data Protection new menu section and start the process
Part of the Synology C2 cloud, the BeeProtect will require a Synology Account, but as one is already needed to use the BeeStation, an automatic single sign-on will simply jump forward with the registration process.
Unlike other backup destination options, the BeeProtect is simply configured by pressing the Enable button. Once the registration process has been completed, the BeeStation will automatically prepare itself for the first backup job.
The BeeData web portal is accessible on a specific URL, as all other Synology C2 platforms. While not listed under the c2.synology.com web portal, BeeProtect can be accessed using the following link: http://bee-protect.us.c2.synology.com/explorer/target or by simply opening the main BeeStation portal page and selecting the Browse and download files option.
Due to the limiting option regarding the number of versions as well as the time of execution, the good information is that we can enable bandwidth control.
This will for sure help out anyone having any kind of ISP data caps, or slow Internet speeds so have a backup work in the background while not affecting the rest of the services in the household. Considering that the first backup will also be the longest, depending on the daily delta size maybe it won't even be needed to implement any throttling at all.
The web explorer will allow us to list all the backup versions, and it will offer data download. Restoring individual files using an in place recovery is not an option, like it is with Hyper Backup on DSM.
The overall initial backup of 33GB of used space, took 45 minutes to complete with an avearge speed of 12,5MB/s. Not the fastest backup in the world, but then again anyone running even a moderate Internet service this will be more then enough to complete a daily backup with not too much interference or impact on any other online services.
Backing up to Synology NAS
Another highly anticipated feature is the option to back up BeeStation content towards a Synology NAS running DSM and Hyper Backup.
A while back I wrote an article that turned the BeeStation into a "Hyper Backup" compatible destination. This is of course an unofficial solution, but with BSM 1.2 the fact that we can now backup BeeStation files towards an existing NAS could be an indication that Synology will implement the backup process in another direction as well.
Luka Manestar
Turn BeeStation as a Hyper Backup target
The configuration process is identical to setting up a classic Hyper Backup between two Synology NASs. This means that the destination NAS will need to be targeted via its public IP address, domain name (or DDNS), or a simple LAN IP address (if configured using the local access method).
Both the DSM portal port and TCP/6281 (Hyper Backup default port) will need to be open to configure the job and later on, allow for the backup job to work. As usual, after setting up the job, we can close the DSM portal port as it is no longer needed.
The backup advanced settings allow for altering the number of versions that can be configured.
Backup speed depends on the number and size of files, and it will fluctuate with an average speed of about 30-35MB/s.
The final backup archive is the default Hyper Backup HBK file that can be accessed via the Synology NAS, or desktop app version of Hyper Backup Explorer in order to get specific files, or as shown before, use the BSM Data Recovery setting that will allow for complete BeeStation restoration.
This means that using the BeeStation UI, we can only restore the entire BeeStation, if there is a need to restore a specific file from the backup while the destination is a Synology NAS, we will have to use Synology DSM UI and its Hyper Backup Explorer or use the same desktop app.
The same principle applies when we use a USB drive connected to the BeeStation. In case the BeeStation fails, the only way to get to the backup is to use a desktop computer with the Hyper Backup Explorer app.
A very good update to the BSM OS with three great backup additions that will furth protect our data. The BeeProtect service was almost expected considering that DSM also has multiple C2 cloud offerings to protect on-prem data using commercial Synology cloud platforms.
For anyone who does not want to backup to the cloud, but also already owns a Synology NAS (locally or remotely), the addition to backup BeeStation using a fully compatible Hyper Backup mechanism is a welcome addition indeed.
Once again, Synology is showing that the Bee platform was not a one-off, and with further development of the BSM OS (and potentially with bigger models), it is almost certain that the age of the DSM "J" and "value" NAS models has come to an end.
How will the 2025 look in terms of new models, both DSM and BSM alike, remains to be seen, but it is clear that Synology has not abandoned the SOHO segment with all its focus on the enterprise lineup, and that's a good thing indeed.
As a final reminder, currently (during December of 2024) there is an ongoing giveaway here on Blackvoid, and the main prize is indeed a brand new 4TB BeeStation! This giveaway has a geographical limitation so be sure to read the rules and notes, and if you apply, sign up!
Luka Manestar
